Significant seven: creative agencies

Over the next few days, we are publishing highlights from this year’s Mumbrella Annual.

1. Clemenger BBDO Melbourne
A powerful business got stronger in 2011. Agency boss Peter Biggs has built a commercially robust operation, with the inimitable ECD Ant Keogh delivering world class work consistently, topped by the most heavily awarded campaign this year, Break up for NAB. Flew the flag for Australia this year.

2. The Monkeys
Still only five years old, The Monkeys is inarguably Australia’s most exciting indie. Despite losing Foxtel and not making the shortlist for Qantas the agency has powered through 2012 with some memorable work – Sydney Opera House, Parmalat and Ikea stand out – and an exciting business model that clients are buying into. If The Monkeys can fend off the suitors, 2012 should prove another good year.

3. Whybin\TBWA
As a group, both the Sydney and Melbourne offices are firing. Melbourne won the pitch of 2011 in ANZ. The Sydney office piled on Tourism New Zealand, Energizer and Unilever and others. Replaced M&C Saatchi as Australia’s new business winning machine.

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4. CumminsRoss
Sean Cummins has once again proved himself as a business builder. Having launched in January, his agency has won Fonterra and Chrysler and piled on 34 staff. The fastest growing creative agency.

5. Droga5
Winning a nice slice of Kraft, a place on the Unilever roster, and the Qantas shortlist shut up a few people who say that Droga is just smoke and mirrors.

6. BMF
Probably not its best year creatively with a poor showing at Cannes. Lots of upheaval towards the end of the year, but expect BMF under CEO Jeremy Nicholas to find its stride in 2012.

7. JWT
CEO John Gutteridge is turning things round in both offices. The work, particularly for Vegemite, has been good, helping to banish JWT’s humdrum reputation. A dark horse.

This list first appeared in the Mumbrella Annual, which is currently on sale priced at $10 for access to the digital edition or $20 for both print and digital access.